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Members of Congress should resolve their disagreements and forge a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program to avoid another lapse, which adversely affects homeowners' coverage and federal property mortgages in high-risk areas, writes PCI Vice President Kelly Campbell. The association "stands ready to work with members of Congress and their staffs to help develop a solution that creates stronger homes, safer families and long-term solutions to the risks posed by flooding."

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Insurers face rising numbers of fraudulent, weather-related property insurance claims as tornado season approaches, especially in heavily exposed states like Florida and Texas, writes PCI Public Affairs Vice President Jeffrey Brewer. He notes that insurers are working together with lawmakers to develop legislation to prevent claims abuse and encouraging officials in states without fraud laws to implement them.

The House voted in favor of legislation to extend the National Flood Insurance Program for 30 days in hopes that lawmakers can finalize another bill giving the program a long-term reauthorization. "I support the House version as a temporary extension to avoid a lapse, but getting to the five-year bill is the absolute top priority," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

Congress has given its approval to legislation that extends the National Flood Insurance Program until Dec. 16. "We are pleased that Congress was able to avert another lapse in the flood program. While we continue to urge a long-term reauthorization for the NFIP, our first priority is avoiding a program lapse," PCI's Tom Litjen said.

Sens. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.; Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; and 11 other senators wrote to Senate banking committee leaders calling for changes in legislation that would revamp the National Flood Insurance Program. A requirement to buy flood coverage should not be imposed on communities protected by adequate flood-control infrastructure, the lawmakers argued. Congress should move to pass the bill to prevent another lapse in the program, which expires Friday, said PCI's Ben McKay. "More than 5.6 million Americans rely on flood insurance. While PCI continues to urge a long-term reauthorization for the NFIP, our first priority is avoiding a program lapse," McKay said.

PCI and another insurance trade group urged Congress to seek a long-term extension for the National Flood Insurance Program. New customers cannot receive policies, and existing policyholders cannot renew or increase their coverage because of a lapse in the program, the groups noted. "It is time to put politics aside and reauthorize the flood insurance program. We are now three weeks into hurricane season, and homeowners still cannot purchase flood insurance," said PCI's Ben McKay.